ECHINOCACTUS is a genus of cacti in the subfamily
CactoideaeCactoideae . The
generic name derives from the
Ancient GreekAncient Greek εχινος (echinos),
meaning "spiny," and cactus. It and
FerocactusFerocactus are the two genera of
barrel cactus . Members of the genus usually have heavy spination and
relatively small flowers. The fruits are copiously woolly, and this is
one major distinction between
EchinocactusEchinocactus and Ferocactus. Propagation
is by seed.

Perhaps the best known species is the golden barrel (Echinocactus
grusonii ) from Mexico, an easy-to-grow and widely cultivated plant.
Though common in the houseplant and landscape industry, the golden
barrel has become very rare in habitat.